Hype can mess with a young player’s mind.
But second-year forward Matas Buzelis is not your average 21-year-old.
“You try to get him prepared for what’s ready to come,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “I think the guys that make the most growth and development are the guys that are really driven and are motivated.
‘‘I think Matas displayed that last year. It could’ve been very easy for him to get dejected, especially with the way I coached him, because, quite honestly, I yanked him out of games when I felt he wasn’t doing the things I thought he could control. He leaned into that and wanted that.
“He’s very driven and very motivated. That’s a great start. I’ve seen a lot of guys that are really talented that you’re trying to wind up all the time to get them going. That’s difficult because that’s got to come from within.”
That has never been an issue with Buzelis.
He’s outspoken about wanting to be great but also points out that accepting mistakes and staying humble are the foundation of that happening. Even in discussing how opposing teams will play him this season now that there’s more than enough game film to scout, Buzelis was thrilled by the idea rather than concerned.
“I’d say I’m more excited because I get to learn and see what I need to work on,” Buzelis said. “I trust my skills whenever I’m out there. I believe I can do it. There’s always going to be a learning curve, but I’m excited to see it, for sure.”
And if Buzelis ever strays from that mindset, Donovan will let him know.
“It’s about Matas keeping himself grounded and driven,” Donovan said. “He has not arrived. He just hasn’t. And that’s just the truth. And I love Matas and think he’s got an unbelievable runway to be an outstanding player in this league if he keeps his drive and his motivation and doesn’t think he’s arrived.
‘‘The great ones are always driven, regardless of what’s going on around them.”
Ready or not
Backup center Jalen Smith saw his playing time dwindle last season after the Bulls acquired Zach Collins.
It felt like it would be more of the same this season for Smith until last week, when Collins had wrist surgery.
So on Wednesday against the Pistons, there was Smith backing up Nikola Vucevic and patrolling the paint for the second unit again.
“It’s about being professional,” Smith said.
“This is a big boys’ league. You can’t sulk and stuff like that. It’s out of my control. Continue to come to the gym every day and get better.”
Smith wasn’t overly concerned about trying to stay in the rotation once Collins returns.
“Just play my game,” Smith said.
“Doing the little things, doing the dirty things like diving for a loose ball, calling out picks and screens, blocking shots, just finding different ways to impact the game.”
Up and running
Guard Ayo Dosunmu and forward Patrick Williams were slowed in practice the last few days leading into the opener, but by game time, there weren’t many bumps and bruises that had Donovan worried.
Besides guard Coby White (strained calf) and Collins, no other rotation player was on the injury list.
